Why Do Dogs Wag Their Tails?

Whether we realize it or not, a dog's vibrant tail is a key reason we love this species so much. It's not just the happy greeting we get when we walk in the door (oh, that feeling of unconditional love!), but the furry flag at the end of our dog's butt slapped enthusiastically. It might seem odd to say that, but try to tell me I'm wrong!

A dog's tail has endless charm. It seems to have a mind of its own, but we know that the tail is also at the mercy of its owner. If we didn't take her to the park in a day or two, our dog Mabel would slap her whip on the floor like a whip. Instead, her tail was completely silent while scolding.

At a high level, the dog wagging its tail:

for balance

for social reasons

for communication

intuition

But what about the details? Do different swings have different meanings? The answers are both curious and intriguing, and we've put together a quick tour of the science of tails.

The tail has a structural function

The tail originally evolved to help dogs balance when turning. This facilitates accurate and efficient hunting, which in turn helps the species thrive and survive.

The tail also helps stabilize the dog when swimming or traversing narrow paths. So, you can think of a dog's tail as a rudder that moves slightly to keep the body balanced. But if dogs don't have tails, they can certainly walk and run just fine (like some corgis, dobermans, or boxers).

The tail definitely has a social function

The tail quickly assumed a second function - communication. Dogs use their eyes, ears, posture, and posture to communicate information to each other. You'll see this every time your dog meets new friends on the road. Tails are just another means of communication to aid in more complex message passing between package members.

For example, a puppy will prick its tail if loud play becomes too intense. Or they can lower their tails to show obedience. Or shake it slowly and deeply while seeking food or affection. Another interesting fact that proves the social function of the tail: Dogs rarely wag their tails when they are alone.

A dog's tail is also a tool for conveying scent. It basically spreads the scent produced by the dog's anal glands like a fan. An alpha dog holds its tail high as it runs, allowing more scent to spread farther and farther to show it is the owner of a particular area.

A frightened dog, on the other hand, will roll up his tail to keep the scent from spreading, making him more anonymous.

Different meanings of different Wags

Not all swings are created equal. A wagging tail doesn't always mean a happy dog, and it's important to look for other clues to judge a dog's mannerisms, especially when meeting a dog for the first time. Misreading a dog's entire set of body cues can sometimes lead to surprising growls or bites, especially when interacting with children who aren't very good at discerning nuance.

The tail can express everything from joy, joy and excitement (when wagging high and wagging) to worry or insecurity (when wagging low).

Scientists have found that a sway on the left side of the body may mean a dog is afraid and ready to run away, while a sway on the right side of the body indicates confidence, positivity and curiosity. This happens because different parts of the brain take over under different circumstances, and each half of the brain controls the other side of the body.

What about a dog without a tail?

Are dogs without tails at a disadvantage? Not necessarily, but a shorter or absent tail can make it more difficult for other dogs to interpret the signals. This can put the short-tailed dog at a slight disadvantage in unfamiliar social areas. But dogs can use a variety of communication methods, and can find other ways to convey information.

As for the question of intent, most researchers believe that dogs can control their tails at will, but they tend to wag it instinctively and intuitively.

Once a dog is socialized, she begins to respond emotionally based on the patterns she's learned, just as humans learn to laugh when we're entertained. We can do this consciously, but yes - sometimes tail wagging the dog!